Flower power over at A Spoonful of Sugar!

(Please scroll down for my Ladybug Crafts Ink DT post)

It's a new challenge over at A Spoonful of Sugar!  And this week we are challenging you to flower power!  And this week we are being sponsored by Whimsie Doodles and I used their uber cute Go Big Gnome digi stamp from one of their newer releases...

 

 

Cute, huh?!  She was sooo much fun to colour in!  I gave her highlights her with Copic Opaque White - I don't normally do this as I'm not that keen on the effect, but I thought it would give it that shiny ceramic look that garden gnomes have - I likey!  Think I'll be doing more of this!

For that border, I used felt - this card is so tactile, I can feel it from the photo, lol!!  I tried using some cheap felt I had in my stash but it never cuts properly and now I only use the felt I buy from Ladybug Crafts Ink (here) - the quality is amazing and cuts like butter!  I also used my Grand Nestabilities for all that matting so I have super perfect lines - much better than my usual "do it by eye and nevermind it's slightly wonky" look!!

Anyway, I hope you like! You can see the other DT inspirational makes here - you won't be disappointed!

Thanks for visiting and see you tomorrow with a special celebration!!


I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Totally Stampalicious - 3D (lots of depth on this!)
• Sparkle Creations - hat
• Catch the Bug - bright colours

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of The Party (from Quixotic Paperie here)

Stamps: Whimsie Doodles Go Big Gnome

Mediums: Copics, Copics White
Accents: felt (from Ladybug Crafts Ink here)
Tools: My Favorite Things border dies, Corner Chomper, Grand Nestabilitie dies, Nestabilitie label die inside card

Make your own embellishments over at Totally Ladybug Tuesday!

Today over at Totally Ladybug Tuesday the gorgeous and talented Anita has challenged us to make our own embellishments!  And here are the flowers I made for my card...

 

 

Aren't they gorgeous?!!  These are the new My Favorite Things Die-namics rolled daisy die and the leaf dies from the Upsy Daisy die set (bought mine from Dies to Die For here and here).  I matched them up with Flower Ruby who is carrying similar flowers - perfect match! 

You can see the other DT makes here- they are gorgeous!


Before I go, just wanted to mention that there is a new challenge blog called Deep Ocean challenge which is fortnightly (more time to complete those projects in time!) and of course opportunities to win candy!  It's being run by the ever talented Elena and Alberto so there is sure to be tons of inspiration!  It starts on 7 June so I hope you can join in the fun!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Paper Pretties - birthday card
• Copic Creations - yellow
• Allsorts - things with wings
• Kenny K - fabulous florals

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Stella & Rose Hattie (from Quixotic Paperie here)

Stamps:  Ladybug Crafts Ink Flower Ruby, LCI It's Only Words 2 sentiment

Mediums: Copics

Accents: 8mm beads (from Quixotic Paperie here)
Tools: My Favorite Things daisy flower and leaf dies (from Dies to Die For here and here), Martha Stewart border punches, Stampin Up label punches, Nestabilitie dies

Two cards!

Hi everyone!  Where did Saturday and Sunday go?!  I'm sorry I haven't been around much - will be desperately trying to catch up with you today!  We went to see the new Pirates of Caribbean on Friday - it was okay but always a pleasure to watch Johnny Depp :) and on Saturday we did a bit of a spring clean and out for a meal in the evening, then Sunday we had a big family meal for my nephew's 18th birthday.  All in all a lovely, lovely time but not a lot left for crafting!

Anyhoo, I did manage to finish off two cards last night, both very different styles!  My first card is for this week's Michelle Perkett Studios challenge using Sleeptime Fairy to make your own patterned paper so I used my Hero Arts background stamps and used my Viva Decor gloss pen in white opaque to create little pearls....

 

I am also entering this card in the Papertake Weekly challenge for pale pretty pastels, Wags 'n Whiskers for stitches, Allsorts for things with wings, Flutterby Wednesday for CAS, Totally Gorjuss for string is the thing and Paper Sundaes for shabby chic/vintage.

I have also been impressed by all those CAS cards out there at the moment and Kathleen who is a queen on this style made this lovely card here and inspired me to get my old Rubber Romance stamps out to make this card....

 

It's as simple as I could make it!  No embellishing and just letting the paper and simple sentiment complete it - what do you think?  Perhaps it needs something a little extra?!!  I'm itching to add something to that bottom left hand corner!!  But I won't touch it - yet!

I am entering this card into Crazy 4 Challenges for favourite holiday spot - I love visiting Paris and this card always reminds me of when we go there and sit outside watching the world go by!

Make It Monday sponsored by Platypus Creek Stamping & Craft

Well, I can honestly say that this is BRILLIANT Monday - not is it a new linky party over at Make It Monday but it's also a public bank holiday!  I just love free holidays!  And this is my DT make for it...

 

This week we are being sponsored by Platypus Creek Stamping and Crafts and I created a card with their Mushroom House that I watercoloured with my Aqua ProMarkers and matched the image up with papers from Cosmo Cricket's Earth Love - well it had mushrooms on it so I couldn't really NOT use it, could I?!

The lucky winner from this week will win their "Pretty Things" Stamp set by Sunshine Design...

Gorgeous, huh?!  And don't forget you can increase your chances of winning simply by commenting on other entrant's posts and mentioning you saw it on Make It Monday! 

Thanks for visiting me!

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Earth Love
Stamps: Platypus Creek Stamping and Crafts Mushroom House

Mediums: Aqua Promarkers, Paper Salon sentiment, Distress Ink in Antique Linen
Accents: Dew Drops, web ribbon
Tools: Xcut border punch system, EK Success photo corner punch, Tim Holtz Distressing Tool

Let's make some mischief!

A bit of a sad day for me again this week!  This is my last guest designer card for Sweet Stampin!  I've really enjoyed working with the DT so a HUGE thank you guys for making me feel so welcome!  For my last week, the challenge is a fun one - oooh la la!  So we want to see something French, saucy or cheeky!  I went for something saucy!

 

 

Ooh la la indeed!  I love this Party Girl from My Favorite Things - this is a birthday card for my sassy friend - we always go out for a night on the town for it!  This is the first time I've inked her up (I'm embarassed to say!) and she was a pleasure to colour in!  I bought her from Dies to Die For here.  I matched her up with those hot papers from the Be Mine paper collection by My Minds Eye.  I used the 12 x 12 paper collection from Quixotic Paperie here but you can now get it in a 6 x 6 paper pad here.  I blinged her up with my Glamour Dust on her pearls, dress, bow, horns and tail end - hot!!

Goodbye Sweet Stampin gals, don't forget me!


I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Totally Papercrafts - pink and girly
• Karen's Doodles - make it sparkle
• The Paper Shelter - anything goes
• Claudia & Company - birthday card for a girl
• Karen's Doodles Netherlands - birthday
• Paper Pretties - birthday card
• Stampavie and More - pink (hot hot pink!)

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Be Mine paper collection (from Quixotic Paperie here)
Stamps:  Party Girl from My Favorite Things( from Dies to Die For here)

Mediums: Copics, Glamour Dust
Accents: ribbon from stash
Tools: Nestabilities circle dies and label die inside card, Martha Stewart border punch, EK Success border punch

Sketch time over at By LoRi Designs!

It's a rather sad day today - the By LoRi Designs challenge team has come to the end of it's four month term!  I have really enjoyed working with the team and seeing their amazing creations but I know I will continue to keep in touch with them in blogland! 

So for our last BLD challenge we are ending with a sketch - and it's a super duper one!  Here is my take on it...

 

I was lucky enough to use this month's release for the Lollipop Girls - these little cuties can be found in the shop, here.  If you've got a few minutes, it would be great if you could see the last DT makes over at the challenge blog here!  And if you own any BLD images, would love to see your take on the sketch!

I am also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Totally Papercraft - don't be square
• Wags 'n Whiskers - circles
• Crafty Emma's Store - embellishing
• Paper Sundaes - pop it up

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, K&Co Poppy Seed mat pad

Stamps: Lollipop Girls digis (in the shop here), Pink Petticoat sentiment

Mediums: Aqua ProMarkers

Accents: Doodlebug ric rac border, 4mm pearls (from Quixotic Paperie here), 6mm beads (from here)

Tools: My Favorite Things rolled flower and leaf dies (from Dies to Die For here), Martha Stewart border punch, Stampin Up large window punch, Nestabilities circle and scallop circle dies

Gathering love - take 2!

Happy Thursday everyone!  Today I'm here to share with you my current faves over at Quixotic Paperie!  Did you see the SCACD blog hop last Friday showcasing the new Natural Beauty Collection release by Carmen Medlin?  Wow, every single one really is beautiful!  I made a rather hot card for the hop (see here) and I wanted to try a more muted one...

I don't normally do shabby chic/vintage but I'm really enjoying experimenting with this style!  This is Gathering Love and Elaine has a special offer ending 27 May - if you buy four or more from this new collection, she will throw in a free stamp!  She will even throw in a free stamp if you buy the full set at the current special price of £29.99 (that's 25% off if you buy all the stamps individually!).

So I matched up this beautify with gorgeous papers from the paper pack Pixie by Memory Box and the creamy rich lace by Alencon lace by Prima.   I did the stitching using the Zig Zag piercer head with my Sew Easy Tool.

I also used the lasercut chipboard by Make It Crafty -  I can't believe the level of detail of this chipboard!  I first gave the chipboard a rough cover of gesso, then dabbed Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Antique Linen over it and lastly rubbed on Viva Decor Glitter Liner in Gold with my finger.  I finished them off with 4mm iridescent pearls in Hyacinth Lilac - here's a close up...

I likey this style!  I'm going to be doing more of this in the future!  That's it from me today - thanks for visiting!


I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• I Love ProMarkers to use pearls 
• Karen's Doodles for make it sparkle
• Bunny Zoe's Crafts to use lace
• Crafty Emma's Store - embellish it
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - anything goes

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Bazzill bling cardstock for card base, Pixie by Memory Box
Stamps: Gathering Love by Carmen Medlin for SCACD

Mediums: ProMarkers, Viva Decor Glitter Liner in Gold, Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Antique Linen
Accents: 4mm iridescent pearls in Hyacinth Lilac, Alencon lace by Prima,  lasercut chipboard by Make It Crafty

Tools: Nestabilities circle dies, Tim Holtz Distressign Tool, Zig Zag piercer head with my Sew Easy Tool

Things with wings over at A Spoonful of Sugar!

(Please scroll down for my Ladybug Crafts Ink DT card)

I love this week's challenge over at A Spoonful of Sugar - things with wings!  I went straight to my Wags 'n Whiskers Fairy Lacey...

 

 

Isn't she just luscious - I love colouring her in!  You can get her here from Bunny Zoe's Crafts who are sponsoring this week's challenge - shame I can't join in for a chance to win their goodies too!!  And do you see that lacey border?  I cut it using felt - it's soooo pretty!  I'm really pleased the way it came out especially matched up with that rich ric rac velvet ribbon.  It was looking a bit flat so I used my Sakura glue pen to add Glamour Dust around the flowers and on her wings.

Okay, that's it from me for now!  You can see all the other gorgeous DT makes here.  Hope you can join in this week too!


I am entering this card into Flutterby Wednesday for their open challenge and Divas By Design for one for the girls.

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Papermania Rose Garden papers

Stamps: Wags 'n Whiskers Fairy Lacey (here from Bunny Zoe's Crafts), Kraftin Kimmie sentiment

Mediums: Copics, Sakura glue pen, Glamour Dust
Accents: velvet ric rac ribbon from stash, hush green felt (from Ladybug Crafts Ink here), Doodlebug gems, pearlescent mini pearls
Tools: corner chomper, My Favorite Things border die, Nestabilitie label dies, mini butterfly punch

Animal crazy over at Totally Ladybug Tuesday!

Yep, you got it - we're all about animals over at the Totally Ladybug Tuesday challenge this week!  The ever talented Pinky wants us to create something with an animal on it somewhere and here is my make...

 

 

I just had to use that uber fun Magnum again!  This is Add-On Magnum with the balloon from the Add-Ons set and the sentiment is from the Flipflop stamp set and, finally, the sentiment inside the card is from the Sentimental Numbers set.

You can get your animal inspiration over at the DT challenge blog here!  See you later and thanks for visiting me!

I am entering my card into I Love ProMarkers for animals, CRAFT challenge for happy birthday, Paper Sundaes for pop it up and That's Krafty Thursday to use kraft cardstock.

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill kraft cardstock (from Quixotic Paperie here), BasicGrey Cupcake paper pack

Stamps: LCI Add-On Magnum, Add-Ons, Flipflop stamp set, Sentimental Numbers, Hero Arts checked background stamp

Mediums: Aqua ProMarkers

Accents: ribbon from stash

Tools: My Favorite Things border die, Martha Stewart border punch, Stampin Up large window punch, Nestabilities label die inside card

To distress or not to distress?

Hi everyone!  A very quick one from me tonight to post the card I made for this week's Michelle Perkett Studio's challenge to use die cuts.  I had to rush this card because I couldn't decide if I wanted to do one of my clean cut bright cards or to practice one of my less used techniques of vintage style.  I decided to be brave and do a vintage card but it took me aaages because it's just not my natural style!  Anyway, here it is....

 

 

I think the text needs to be bigger!  Hey ho.  I used the Put On Your Party Dress digi by MPS and the papers are from a Prima design pad that I won from The Scrapbook Garden's April giveaway - lucky me!  They have a new blog candy giveaway for May/June - you can enter it here so give it a chance!

I used the Sweet Sketch Wednesday sketch and I am also entering it into the following challenges:

• Sparkle Creations for May flowers
• Papertake Weekly for bloom and grow
• The Paper Shelter for distress to impress
• Pixie Dust Studio for vintage
• CES challenge for embellishing

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill bling cardstock, Prima Magnolia paper pad

Stamps: MPS Put On Your Party Dress digi

Mediums: Aqua ProMarkers, Distress Inks in Antique Linen
Accents: Stampin Up ribbon (ordered from Nic, The Sticky Elf, here), Prima Magnolia flowers, 8mm flat backed pearls (from Quixotic Paperie here)

Tools: Nestabilities dies, Magnolia border and leaf dies (I get mine from Bunny Zoe's Crafts here), Tim Holtz Distressing Tool

Share your creativity over at Make It Monday!

Boo, it's Monday so back to work - but yay, it's Monday which means another week to share your creativity with the crafting community!  I love seeing the different projects all week - it's so inspiring to see different techniques and styles!  For this week, I made this card...

 

 

I was inspired by my lovely and kind friend, Sally of Scallywags fame, after seeing her makes using Fizzy Moon the bear.  You can see her lovely creations with him (her?!!) here - uber sweet, I'm sure you'll agree!

This week we are being sponsored by Crafty Emma's Store and you can buy this sweetie clear stamp called Wish Upon a Star here for just £3.99 - I think that's exceptional good value considering you get matching sentiments and accessories!  Crafty Emma's prize to one lucky winner is a £10 voucher to spend in store (p&p not included) - so you could get yourself two sets of Fizzy Moons - shame I can't win it!!

Don't forget to see the other DT inspiration here - they are so lovely, I am sure you'll be inspired to join our party!


I used the sketch over at Moving Along With The Times and I'm also entering it into the following challenges:

• That's Krafty Thursday to use kraft cardstock
• Copic Creations to use your shades of Copic yellows (this time I used my  YR's)
• Fuzzy Wuzzy's monthly challenge for babies (that's one of the best challenge blog names EVER!)
• Paper Sundaes for pop it up

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Fine & Dandy True Blue paper pad (you can get from Quixotic Paperie here)
Stamps: Fizzy Moon Wish Upon a Star, sentiments from Ladybug Crafts Ink Baby Baby set

Mediums: Copics, Stickles glue in star dust
Accents: 4mm flat backed pearls, Stampin Up seam binding ribbon in Baja Breeze

Tools: Nestabilities dies, 1" Woodware star lunch, Martha Stewart border punch inside card

"Hey Mr DJ, put a record on..."

"...I wanna dance with my lady..." tra, la, la, la...  Anyone like Madonna like out there?  If you do, you'll be humming to that all day long, I bet!  I was singing along to this as I made my card for this week's Pollycrafts Monday challenge for music set by the ever talented Paula...

 

 

I've been dying to colour in this cutie Retro Chester!  I wasn't sure what the colour should be for inside of his ears!  I took a look at my Labradors (whilst having a cuddle) and theirs are pink - so pink!

That's it from me today!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and see you tomorrow with my DT card for Make It Monday!


I am entering my card also into the following challenges:

• Wags 'n Whiskers - circles
• Landscaping - polka dots
• Whimsie Doodles - teen/kid (this is for my teenage nephew)
• That's Krafty Thursday - use kraft cardstock

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Just Dreamy Star Bright paper kit
Stamps: Pollycrafts Retro Chester, TGF sentiment

Mediums: Copics, Sakura medium white gel pen
Accents: button and string from stash

Tools: Nestabilities dies, Xcut punch, Fiskars border punch inside card

Sketch or theme time over at Sweet Stampin!

Happy Saturday everyone!  I hope you have a great weekend planned - more gardening today, will hopefully cut enough back that I can then leave for a couple of weeks!  Then dinner with my parents tonight so looking forward to a yummy Chinese meal!  Tomorrow - who knows?  Perhaps a long walk along the coast although the weather doesn't look great!

Anyway, onto today's card!  Here is my next guest designer card for Sweet Stampin and this week we have a sketch or a garden theme - or both!  Of course, I did both...

 

Isn't this little lady a cutie?!  This week we are being sponsored by Heather Ellis of Pure Innocence fame!  This is Pure Innocence no 023 - but I like to call her cutie on a swing!  You can buy her here for just £1.50 here (jsut scroll down a bit!). 

I know there are plenty of garden fans out there so I hope you're inspired to join in!  Or of course, you can use the sketch...

See what the Design Team have done with this sketch and theme here - you'll love them!

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Bazzill bling cardstock, My Minds Eye Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky (bought mine from Quixotic Paperie here)
Stamps: Heather Ellis of Pure Innocence no 023 (you can buy her here), Paper Salon sentiment

Mediums: Copics
Accents: ribbon from stash, BasicGrey brads
Tools: My Favorite Things flower and leaf dies, Nestabilities circle dies, Martha Stewart grass border punch

SCACD new release and blog hop!

The Quixotic Paperie design team have once again joined forces with the SCACD design team for a blog hop to celebrate the release of the fantastic new NATURAL BEAUTY COLLECTION illustrated by Carmen Medlin. And it's easy to see why it's called this! There are SEVEN stunning images in this release,and they are available either individually or as a full set at a special discounted price!

If you’re in the UK/Europe you can buy the stamps NOW at Quixotic Paperie.

There is a special offer on SCACD Stamps during the next week - buy ANY FULL SET or FOUR OR MORE individual stamps from the SCACD Stamps range and receive a FREE STAMP (free stamp will be selected at random by Elaine)!

If you’re in the US you can buy the stamps NOW at Susana’s Custom Art& Card Design.

Susana is offering a Prima freebie to anyone purchasing the full set - see the SCACD Store Blog for full details!

So let's get onto the hop!   If you have hopped on over here from the ever talented Carolyn's BLOG then you are on the right track, if not then the first blog on the hop youneed to go to is Elaine's Blog - Quixotic Cards.

So here is my card using Gathering Love...

 

 

She is just beautiful, don't you think?  She has a real gypsy feel to me and as I'm really in the mood for orange this week I matched her up with papers from the new Folklore paper pad by Marianne Design - love those papers!  I used those gorgeous pearl beads for my flower centres and the sentiment is from the Paper Makeup Everyday Thanks set.

I hope you like my card and enjoying all the gorgeous inspiration along the hop!  You now need to hop over to the ever talented Marti!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Karen's Doodle's challenge for bold and bright (and you can't get much brighter than this!)
• Cupcake Craft for in the garden
• Sparkle Creations for May flowers
• Crafty Creations for May flowers
• Paper Pretties for flowers
• Divas by Design - for the girls
• Stampavie and More for summer (fingers crossed for a hot one!)
• St Luke's Charity - lots of pattern

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Folklore paper pad by Marianne Design
Stamps: Carmen Medlin for SCACD The Natural Collection, Paper Makeup Everyday Thanks set

Mediums: Copics
Accents: pearl beads

Tools: Fiskars border punch, Martha Stewart border punch, Nestabilities dies, My Favorite Things rolled rose and leaf dies, Quickutz label die

All about boys over at By LoRi Designs!

(Please scroll down for my Quixotic Paperie post and my tips on taking photos)

The new challenge over at By LoRi Designs is all about boys!  There are plenty of cute boy digis to choose from and I chose to use Lollipop Tanner ...

 

 

Isn't he the sweetest?  And I hope Steve buys me a big pressie like that when it's my birthday - roll on August, lol!!  I matched him up with Cosmo Cricket's The Boyfriend paper pad - love those colours (especially the orange of course!).  Want to join in with the challenge?  Click on the banner below to be taken to the challenge blog and see the DT inspiration!

I used this week's CardPatterns sketch and I am also entering it into the Paper Sundaes challenge for birthdays.

That's it from me today - enjoy the rest of the day and thanks for visiting - I love it when you do!

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket's The Boyfriend paper pad (from Bunny Zoe's Crafts here)

Stamps: By LoRi Designs Lollipop Tanner, Ladybug Crafts Ink sentiments

Mediums: Copics
Accents: string from stash
Tools: Grand Nestabilities circle dies, Nestabilities circle dies, EK Success border punch, My Favorite Things banner die